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New Zealand's NRL club poach son of an All Black
New Zealand’s NRL club the Warriors have poached the son of a former All Black in a major coup, signing Wellington schoolboy Rocco Berry to a four-year deal, according to Stuff.co.nz.
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The son of former All Black Marty Berry, who played 10 times in the black jersey between 1986-1993, is a talented fullback who starred for Wellington’s dominant rugby school, St Pats Silverstream’s 1st XV over the last two seasons.
The 18-year-old was selected to attend the Hurricanes under-18 training camp and the New Zealand secondary schools camp last year but did not make the final schoolboys side with still another year left to push his case.
Watch Rocco’s schoolboy highlights:
He will give up following in his father’s footsteps in Union to make a code switch in pursuit of an NRL career.
“He’s got some really good attributes on and off the field, you’ve only got to talk to him for five minutes to know he’s been raised in a very good environment,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George told Stuff.
“It’s very exciting we’ve been able to secure a son of an All Black into our league family.
“We do know that he was heavily chased by a number of rugby league and rugby clubs and to get his signature is certainly a massive privilege for our club.”
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The loss of Rocco Berry to the 13-man code is a blow to the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby, but the Hurricanes are somewhat insured with one of the largest conveyor belts of talent in the country.
The franchise debuted 20-year-old midfielder Danny Toala, who can also play at fullback, earlier this season as well as finding more game time for Peter Umaga-Jensen, another midfielder with the ability to play at 15. There are often not enough jerseys to go round for the franchise in the capital who lose talent to many other Super franchises.
Berry’s move is surprising in the sense that it was the Warriors who were the NRL club able to complete the deal, as the Australian league clubs often win the signature of New Zealand’s highly-touted prospects. It was the Warriors who lost out on St Kentigern prodigy, Etene Nanai-Seturo, who was swayed by NZR and the chance to play for the All Blacks in the future before signing with the Chiefs.
The Warriors CEO extended open arms offering of sorts to rugby union players around the country, claiming there are opportunities for them with the club.
“Whether you’re a rugby union kid playing the game or rugby league, there’s opportunities here at the Warriors.”
The Season with St Pats Silverstream – Episode 3:
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments